Monday, July 4, 2011

In honor of today's holiday, we have a treat for you -- Voices of Liberty singing the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The Voices of Liberty have performed for five U.S. presidents and countless Epcot guests. If you've never heard their amazing harmonies, they're great on video, but the best way to experience Voices of Liberty is in person.

I couldn’t think of a better story to tell on this lovely Fourth of July than that of the Liberty Tree at Magic Kingdom Park. This tree, which many rush past on their way to Hall of Presidents or The Haunted Mansion, is actually modeled after a real symbol of American history and also has ties to the film that inspired Walt Disney to create a Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom Park.

Our Liberty Tree, which sits across from Hall of Presidents, is based on the original Liberty Tree in Boston that served as a gathering place for the Sons of Liberty in the months leading up to the Boston Tea Party.

The events of this time period (and the tree) were featured in the 1957 Disney film, “Johnny Tremain,” which follows Johnny, a young silversmith’s apprentice, in the days before the start of the Revolutionary War. In one scene, Johnny and his friends parade through the streets singing the song “The Liberty Tree” and stop to hang lanterns on its branches.

During the making of this film, Walt Disney became excited at the possibility of adding a similarly themed Liberty Street to Disneyland park. His vision eventually grew into a whole “land” that was added to the plans for Magic Kingdom Park.

Today, our Liberty Tree illuminates each evening with the light from 13 lanterns. Each light represents one of the 13 original colonies.

Fun fact: Walt Disney’s youngest daughter, Sharon, had an uncredited role in the film, “Johnny Tremain,” playing a friend of Johnny’s. (Pictured above, right).

I recently visited the World of Disney at the Downtown Disney Marketplace to take some photos for a project. Before leaving the store, I saw a table with all sorts of Americana-themed merchandise, like Duffy the Disney Bear, a colorful Mickey Ear hat and more. I particularly liked the way the mugs pictured above were displayed. The image got me thinking about the patriotic things I enjoy when visiting Disney Parks.

There is one place at Disney that makes me “red, white and blue at times” – The American Adventure at Epcot. I once worked as an attraction manager at the American Adventure Pavilion. I’ve seen that show countless times, and I once watched it with Dallas McKennon who provided the voice for Benjamin Franklin for the attraction (incredibly awesome!). I love the rotunda area inside the Pavilion that displays artwork from some of my favorite artists like the late Robert McCall or Disney Legend, Herb Ryman.